EP2164752B1 - Underwater buoy with modular members - Google Patents
Underwater buoy with modular members Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP2164752B1 EP2164752B1 EP08805507A EP08805507A EP2164752B1 EP 2164752 B1 EP2164752 B1 EP 2164752B1 EP 08805507 A EP08805507 A EP 08805507A EP 08805507 A EP08805507 A EP 08805507A EP 2164752 B1 EP2164752 B1 EP 2164752B1
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- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- hollow body
- modular
- retaining structures
- underwater buoy
- retaining
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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- 125000006850 spacer group Chemical group 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000002706 hydrostatic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000003100 immobilizing effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 19
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 15
- 239000000725 suspension Substances 0.000 description 11
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 4
- 229930195733 hydrocarbon Natural products 0.000 description 4
- 150000002430 hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 241001080024 Telles Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000004873 anchoring Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000013016 damping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006866 deterioration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000002035 prolonged effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000284 resting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000013535 sea water Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B22/00—Buoys
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63B—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING
- B63B22/00—Buoys
- B63B22/18—Buoys having means to control attitude or position, e.g. reaction surfaces or tether
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- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B17/00—Drilling rods or pipes; Flexible drill strings; Kellies; Drill collars; Sucker rods; Cables; Casings; Tubings
- E21B17/01—Risers
- E21B17/012—Risers with buoyancy elements
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a submarine buoy with modular elements for suspending the tubular transport of hydrocarbons, between a seabed and a surface installation.
- tubular conduits are installed substantially vertically between the well and an underwater zone located below the surface of the water, then these vertical tubular conduits are prolonged by tubular conduits generally flexible, which join a surface installation.
- the substantially vertical tubular pipes are generally rigid and are thus maintained vertically through underwater buoys.
- the size of its underwater buoys and consequently the volume of air that they are likely to trap, must be adjusted according to the upward force they must exert on the tubular pipe in order to maintain it vertically.
- this ascensional effort also depends on the dimensions of this pipe and its length, in other words on the depth of water.
- the volume of the underwater buoy must also be important. Also, since it is difficult to carry buoys of large volume, it was imagined to transport them in pieces, for example on the laying boats, and then to climb at sea directly on the site.
- the buoys comprise an armature and modular elements that form floats, and these floats are adapted to be mounted in said frame at the time of installation of the buoy.
- the modular elements extend respectively longitudinally between two opposed modular element ends.
- Said armature has a longitudinal hollow body intended to receive said extended tubular conduit, while retaining means mounted radially on said hollow body make it possible to maintain said modular elements substantially parallel to said hollow body and around said hollow body.
- the retaining means are intensely stressed and may rupture.
- a problem that arises and that aims to solve the present invention is to provide a submarine buoy with modular elements whose modular elements are more securely retained by the retaining means so as to prevent breakage of the latter.
- the present invention proposes a submarine buoy with modular elements for suspending a tubular pipe between a seabed and a surface, said buoy comprising an armature and a plurality of modular elements forming floats suitable for being mounted in said armature, said modular elements extending respectively longitudinally between two opposite modular element ends, said armature having a longitudinal hollow body for receiving said extended tubular pipe and retaining means mounted radially on said hollow body to maintain said modular elements substantially parallel to said hollow body and around said hollow body;
- said retaining means comprise two retaining structures spaced longitudinally spaced from each other on said hollow body, said retaining structures respectively having a plurality of receiving zones, each being adapted to receive an end d modular element; and said holding structures are held in a fixed position relative to each other in a position where said receiving areas are respectively facing each other so as to trap at least one modular element when said opposite ends of said at least one element modular are respectively engaged in two receiving areas opposite.
- a feature of the invention lies in the mode of cooperation of the two retaining structures, which encircle the modular elements when they are brought into a position close to each other.
- the tubular pipe which rises from the bottom is suspended from the underwater buoy, the latter is oriented so that the hollow body extends substantially vertically as the modular elements.
- Modular elements that have a density lower than that of seawater exerts an upward force on one of the two retaining structures which itself is integral with the hollow body. Also, these modular elements abut against this retaining structure, and they are maintained in this position in particular thanks to the other retaining structure.
- each modular element is cylindrical in shape with a circular director, so that it can be manufactured industrially and at an advantageous cost.
- their wall resists much better to the hydrostatic pressure despite a relatively small thickness in comparison with a parallelepiped-shaped modular element, for example.
- the modular elements are more easily manipulated in the water when it comes to replace or mount additional modular elements in the frame.
- said retaining means preferably comprise spacers mounted on said hollow body to maintain said modular elements away from said hollow body, the modular elements coming to bear against these spacers. They allow moreover, to stiffen the connections between the modular elements and the hollow body. Furthermore, these spacers respectively have a semicircular recess for receiving said modular element and blocking and the lateral movements of the tubular element in directions substantially parallel to a tangent plane of the hollow body.
- said retaining structures have a central portion secured to said hollow body and radial portions in which are formed said receiving areas.
- said retaining structures have eight star-shaped and diametrically opposite two-by-two radial portions, in which eight receiving zones are respectively provided.
- said retaining structures define an average plane which extends substantially perpendicularly to said hollow body and at least one of said retaining structures, that which is located towards the surface when the underwater buoy is in position, is equipped with means complementary blocking means in said receiving areas for blocking said modular element in all directions substantially parallel to said mean plane.
- the hollow body is oriented vertically and the modular elements, given their lower density than water, tend to rise towards the surface and exert efforts ascensional specifically on said at least one of said retaining structures.
- the complementary locking means in the receiving zones of this retaining structure, which takes up the significant upward forces, the ends of the modular elements are completely integral with the retaining structure. And thus, the modular elements are totally attached to the frame.
- said at least one of said retaining structure located towards the surface, has reinforcing means for increasing the rigidity of said at least one of said retaining structure, so as to better withstand the upward forces produced by the modular elements.
- said hollow body has, in the vicinity of the other of said retaining structures, hooking means to said tubular pipe to take up the forces exerted by the tubular pipe which rises from the seabed and tends to bring the underwater buoy to this bottom.
- hooking means to said tubular pipe to take up the forces exerted by the tubular pipe which rises from the seabed and tends to bring the underwater buoy to this bottom.
- said other of said retaining structures directed towards the seabed, comprises means for locking said modular elements so that they are completely integral with the hollow body.
- the Figure 1 illustrates a frame 10 of underwater buoy according to the invention.
- This frame 10 comprises a hollow body 12 of a length of between thirty meters and forty meters, for example thirty five meters, and it comprises an upper retaining structure 14 and a lower retaining structure 16.
- spacers 18 which will be described below are installed along the hollow body 12.
- This hollow body 12, of circular symmetry about an axis A, has an upper end 20 and a lower end 22 and its relatively constant diameter is between one meter and two meters, for example one and a half meters.
- the upper retaining structure 14 has a central portion consisting of a first inner ring 24 fitted at least partially in the upper end 20 of the hollow body 12, eight radial portions consisting of first branches 26 which extend radially from the first inner ring 24 and are offset relative to each other by an angle close to 45 °, these first branches 26 being also secured to a first outer ring 28, and octahedral shape.
- This first outer ring 28 constitutes in particular means for reinforcing the rigidity of the upper retaining structure 14.
- the first branches 26 each have a free end 30 and a first arcuate recess 32 near the free end 30. This first arcuate recess 32 is oriented towards the lower end 22. It is found on the Figure 3A , the frame 10 comprising the hollow body 12 and the upper retaining structure 14; the axial section plane III-III intersecting two diametrically opposed first branches 26, their respective arc recess 32, symmetrical with respect to an extremum 34 and symmetrical with respect to each other vis-à-vis the axis of symmetry A. Moreover, the first arcuate recesses 32 are spaced apart from the hollow body 12.
- first outer ring 28 of octahedral shape, which connects the first branches 26 at the level of the first arcuate recesses 32, is observed.
- Each of the eight substantially flat portions of the first outer ring 28 intersects a first branch 26 substantially perpendicularly.
- a second arcuate recess 36 is formed in each of these flat portions of first outer ring 28.
- This second recess 36 in arc of a curvature substantially identical to the first recess 32 has an extremum substantially coincident with the extremum 34 of the first recess arc 32.
- planar portions of the first outer ring 28 and their corresponding first branch 26 together define through their arcuate recesses 32, 36 a receiving zone 38 oriented towards the lower end 22, which reception zone 38 in turn defines a spherical ring whose function will be explained below.
- the lower retaining structure 16 has a second inner ring 40 also fitted at least partially in the lower end 22 of the hollow body 12. It also has second legs 42 respectively symmetrical first branches 26 relative to a plane of symmetry intersecting the hollow body 12 perpendicular to mid-distance between the lower end 22 and the upper end 20. These second legs 42 are interconnected by a second outer ring 44. In contrast, the second legs 42 respectively present a notch 46 and not an arch recess like the first opposite branches 26.
- the notch 46 has a first portion located near the second inner ring 40 substantially symmetrical to a first arcuate recess portion 32 from the extremum 34 towards the first inner ring and this, with respect to the plane of said symmetry intersecting perpendicularly the hollow body 12. However, a second portion of the notch 46 extends substantially radially towards the free end of the second branch 42.
- star struts 18 illustrated in detail on the Figure 1 each define a mean plane substantially perpendicular to the hollow body 12 and they are formed of a circular ring in which are formed eight hemicircular recesses 48.
- the hemicircular recesses 48 of each of the circular rings are aligned with each other along a parallel axis to the axis of symmetry A hollow body 12 and which cuts each of the first and second branches 26, 42 opposite.
- the upper retaining structure 14 and the lower retaining structure 16 connected together by the hollow body 12, here masked by the modular elements 50.
- the latter are cylindrical in shape with a circular director, and they each have two opposite free ends, one upper free end 52 and a lower free end 54.
- Their diameter is between two and three meters, for example two meters forty, and their length is between thirty meters and forty meters, for example thirty-four meters.
- the two free ends have a rounded shape defining a substantially spherical surface adapted to coincide with the receiving zone 38.
- the upper free end 52 of each of the modular elements 50 is engaged in the receiving zone 38, while the lower free end 54 is in abutment against the corresponding second branch 42, while the body 56 of each of the tubular elements 50 bears against the spacers 18 through their respective hemicircular recesses 48.
- the upper free end 52 of the modular elements 50 is first engaged in the receiving zone 38, the modular elements 50 being inclined with respect to the hollow body 12 and then , the tubular body 50 is folded towards the hollow body 12 resting in the spacers 18, the lower free end 54 abuts against the second legs 42.
- the modular elements 50 are held in this position or by 58 locking pieces reported at the free end of the second branches 42 which will be observed in more detail on the Figure 3A or by a buoy bridle shown which surrounds and encloses in the vicinity of the lower retaining structure 16 the eight modular elements 50.
- the modular elements 50 are maintained in support in the spacers 18, independently of each other, thanks to independent spacer flanges, which clamp the modular elements 50 in their corresponding hemicircular recesses 48.
- the strut flanges are mounted on each of the projecting ends of the struts 18 and are adapted to be connected to another contiguous end projecting around a modular element 50.
- the upper free end 52 has an axial slot 64 in which is engaged an extension 66 projecting planar portions of first outer ring 28; and this, at the second arcuate recess 36.
- the upper free end 52 of the modular elements 50 is perfectly integral with the upper retaining structure 14 because it is perfectly locked in motion in directions substantially parallel to the plane P means defined by the upper retaining structure 14.
- the lower free end 54 is blocked radially in translation by the locking member 58, while the body 56 of the modular elements 50 is locked in translation in one direction. perpendicular.
- FIG. 4 illustrating a top view of the underwater buoy according to the invention.
- the upper retaining structure 14 comprising the first inner ring 24, the first branches 26 and the first inner ring 28.
- the submarine buoy represented is relatively easy to assemble, either before being embarked on a boat laying, or on the boat or directly in the water. Moreover, it presents here eight modular elements 50, but it could include only one on two, four modular elements 50. Thus, its buoyancy would be less.
- FIG. 5A to 5C The mounting of the underwater buoy is illustrated on the Figures 5A to 5C .
- two first modular elements 50 are extended horizontally and parallel to each other on supports 70 and spaced a predetermined distance.
- a hollow body 12 equipped with its spacers 18 is fitted on these first two modular elements 50.
- the latter are then secured to the spacers 18 by means of spacer flanges as mentioned above.
- two new modular elements 50, illustrated on the Figure 5C are mounted on the hollow body 12 in the position diametrically opposed to the first two modular elements 50.
- the assembly equipped with four modular elements 50, is first tilted on two first modular elements 50 extended on supports identical to the supports 70 as illustrated in Figure 5A and located along these supports 70, and two other modular elements 50 are then installed on the last two remaining locations on the hollow body 12.
- the underwater buoy according to the invention is attached to a tubular pipe 60 for the transport of hydrocarbons via a clamping flange 62.
- the tubular pipe 60 is kept suspended from the buoy under -marine which tends to drag it towards the S surface in an underwater area below the surface.
- the tubular pipe 60 is connected to a flexible tubular pipe 63 which passes through the underwater buoy and escapes from above over the upper retaining structure 14 to then reach a surface installation.
- the tensile forces to exert on the tubular pipe 60 can be adapted by adjusting the number of modular elements 50 to the armature 10.
- the tubular pipe 60 is connected to the underwater buoy via a frame itself suspended from the lower retaining structure 16, and the tubular pipe 60 is connected to a flexible tubular pipe that no longer crosses the underwater buoy but circumvents it to reach a surface installation.
- the aforementioned hollow body is replaced by a succession of six independent cylindrical floats, four identical 72, 74, 76, 78 and two end 80, 82, stacked on each other.
- the modular elements forming floats are here respectively replaced by two modular half-elements 84, 86, adjusted in the extension of one another.
- the overall buoyancy of the underwater buoy is increased.
- this also allows in certain particular embodiments, to reduce the size of the modular elements.
- the cylindrical independent floats 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 are adapted to receive water inside to be able to immerse the underwater buoy, while the modular half-elements are sealed and do not receive no water. This water cylindrical independent floats is then likely to be evacuated to be able to give the buoy underwater all its buoyancy.
- the independent cylindrical floats 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 are respectively equipped in their base, with a first opening extended by a first conduit.
- the first conduits of all cylindrical floats independent 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82 converge to a common filling valve.
- a gas and in particular nitrogen for the water of independent cylindrical floats 72, 74, 76, 78, 80, 82, they respectively have an upper opening extended by a second duct.
- the second conduits converge in turn towards a common nitrogen inlet valve.
- the subject of the invention relates to a method of installing a rising submarine column for transporting hydrocarbons between a seabed and a surface, by means of an underwater buoy with elements.
- modular and / or independent cylindrical floats as described above.
- the method being of the type according to which: anchoring a bottom installation on said seabed; providing a tubular conduit having a connecting end to be connected to said downstream installation and an opposite end equipped with a submersible float submarine buoy; then, the entry of water inside said submergible floats is authorized to immerse said underwater buoy and said tubular pipe in line with said bottom installation, while said underwater buoy and said buoy are retained.
- a suspension line from a surface vessel, said suspension line supporting tensile forces corresponding to the weight of said underwater buoy and said pipe; a traction cable is then provided and return means are installed on said downstream installation so as to be able to connect said traction cable to said connection end and to drive said cable through said return means and simultaneously said connection end towards said downstream installation; according to the invention, hooking a draft buoy immersed in said traction cable to exert additional traction forces on said suspension line; then a gaseous fluid is substituted with the water of said immersible floats to compensate, on the one hand, the traction forces corresponding to the weight of said underwater buoy and of said pipe and, on the other hand, at least a part of the traction forces additional; and, finally, said pulling buoy is tethered to said bottom installation and said suspension line is progressively released so that said bottom installation takes up said additional traction forces exerted by the pull buoy, while said underwater buoy said other part exerts additional traction forces on said pipe to maintain it vertically.
- the implementation of the submerged draft buoy that is to say between the bottom and the surface, and more precisely near the bottom, to attach to the towing cable and then the release, allows to exert additional traction forces on said suspension line.
- the pulling buoy which then contains a gaseous fluid lighter than water, pulls on the pulling cable which has the opposite effect, thanks to the return means on the end of connection of the pipe, and thus on the line of suspension that joins the surface building.
- an additional traction force is exerted on the suspension line in excess of the own weight of the pipe and the underwater buoy.
- said gaseous fluid lighter than water, is substituted for the water of said immersible floats to compensate for the traction forces corresponding to the weight of the underwater buoy and substantially at half of said additional traction forces exerted by the intermediate of the draw buoy.
- said pulling buoy is released from said bottom installation so that said pull buoy back to said surface. so as to drive the opposite end, said connection end to said downstream installation.
- damping receiving means are provided, from the connecting end when approaching downwards, from the bottom installation.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Laying Of Electric Cables Or Lines Outside (AREA)
- Artificial Fish Reefs (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Cleaning Or Clearing Of The Surface Of Open Water (AREA)
- Supports For Pipes And Cables (AREA)
Abstract
Description
La présente invention se rapporte à une bouée sous-marine à éléments modulaires permettant de suspendre les conduites tubulaires de transport des hydrocarbures, entre un fond marin et une installation de surface.The present invention relates to a submarine buoy with modular elements for suspending the tubular transport of hydrocarbons, between a seabed and a surface installation.
Afin de remonter les hydrocarbures d'un puits sous-marin vers la surface, des conduites tubulaires sont installées sensiblement verticalement entre le puits et une zone sous-marine située en dessous de la surface de l'eau, puis ces conduites tubulaires verticales sont prolongées par des conduites tubulaires généralement flexibles, lesquelles rejoignent une installation de surface. Les conduites tubulaires sensiblement verticales sont généralement rigides et elles sont maintenues ainsi verticalement grâce à des bouées sous-marines. La dimension de ses bouées sous-marines et par conséquent le volume d'air qu'elles sont susceptibles d'emprisonner, doit être ajusté en fonction de l'effort ascensionnel qu'elles doivent exercer sur la conduite tubulaire afin de la maintenir verticalement. Or cet effort ascensionnel dépend aussi des dimensions de cette conduite et de sa longueur, autrement dit de la profondeur d'eau. En outre, lorsque l'effort ascensionnel à exercer est relativement important, parallèlement, le volume de la bouée sous-marine doit être lui également important. Aussi, puisqu'il est malaisé de transporter des bouées de volume important, il a été imaginé de les transporter par morceaux, par exemple sur les bateaux de pose, puis de les monter en mer directement sur le site.In order to raise the hydrocarbons of a subsea well towards the surface, tubular conduits are installed substantially vertically between the well and an underwater zone located below the surface of the water, then these vertical tubular conduits are prolonged by tubular conduits generally flexible, which join a surface installation. The substantially vertical tubular pipes are generally rigid and are thus maintained vertically through underwater buoys. The size of its underwater buoys and consequently the volume of air that they are likely to trap, must be adjusted according to the upward force they must exert on the tubular pipe in order to maintain it vertically. However, this ascensional effort also depends on the dimensions of this pipe and its length, in other words on the depth of water. In addition, when the upward force to be exerted is relatively important, in parallel, the volume of the underwater buoy must also be important. Also, since it is difficult to carry buoys of large volume, it was imagined to transport them in pieces, for example on the laying boats, and then to climb at sea directly on the site.
Ainsi, les bouées comprennent une armature et des éléments modulaires qui forment des flotteurs, et ces flotteurs sont adaptés à être montés dans ladite armature au moment de l'installation de la bouée. Les éléments modulaires s'étendent respectivement longitudinalement entre deux extrémités d'élément modulaire opposées. Ladite armature présente un corps creux longitudinal destiné à recevoir ladite conduite tubulaire étendue, tandis que des moyens de retenue montés radialement sur ledit corps creux permettent de maintenir lesdits éléments modulaires sensiblement parallèlement audit corps creux et autour dudit corps creux.Thus, the buoys comprise an armature and modular elements that form floats, and these floats are adapted to be mounted in said frame at the time of installation of the buoy. The modular elements extend respectively longitudinally between two opposed modular element ends. Said armature has a longitudinal hollow body intended to receive said extended tubular conduit, while retaining means mounted radially on said hollow body make it possible to maintain said modular elements substantially parallel to said hollow body and around said hollow body.
On pourra se référer notamment au document
Cependant, lorsque les éléments modulaires sont relativement volumineux de manière à ce que la bouée sous-marine exerce un effort ascensionnel relativement important, les moyens de retenue sont sollicités de manière intense et risquent de se rompre.However, when the modular elements are relatively large so that the underwater buoy exerts a relatively high upward force, the retaining means are intensely stressed and may rupture.
Aussi, un problème qui se pose et que vise à résoudre la présente invention est de fournir une bouée sous-marine à éléments modulaires dont les éléments modulaires sont plus solidement retenus par les moyens de retenue de manière à éviter la rupture de ces derniers.Also, a problem that arises and that aims to solve the present invention is to provide a submarine buoy with modular elements whose modular elements are more securely retained by the retaining means so as to prevent breakage of the latter.
Dans le but de résoudre ce problème, la présente invention propose une bouée sous-marine à éléments modulaires destiné à suspendre une conduite tubulaire entre un fond marin et une surface, ladite bouée comprenant une armature et une pluralité d'éléments modulaires formant flotteurs adaptés à être montés dans ladite armature, lesdits éléments modulaires s'étendant respectivement longitudinalement entre deux extrémités d'élément modulaire opposées, ladite armature présentant un corps creux longitudinal destiné à recevoir ladite conduite tubulaire étendue et des moyens de retenue montés radialement sur ledit corps creux pour maintenir lesdits éléments modulaires sensiblement parallèlement audit corps creux et autour dudit corps creux ; selon l'invention lesdits moyens de retenue comprennent deux structures de retenue en regard espacées longitudinalement l'une de l'autre sur ledit corps creux, lesdites structures de retenues présentant respectivement une pluralité de zones de réception, chacune étant adaptée à recevoir une extrémité d'élément modulaire ; et lesdites structures de retenue sont maintenues en position fixe l'une par rapport à l'autre dans une position où lesdites zones de réception sont respectivement situées en regard les unes des autres de façon à emprisonner au moins un élément modulaire lorsque lesdites extrémités opposées dudit au moins un élément modulaire sont respectivement engagées dans deux zones de réception en regard.In order to solve this problem, the present invention proposes a submarine buoy with modular elements for suspending a tubular pipe between a seabed and a surface, said buoy comprising an armature and a plurality of modular elements forming floats suitable for being mounted in said armature, said modular elements extending respectively longitudinally between two opposite modular element ends, said armature having a longitudinal hollow body for receiving said extended tubular pipe and retaining means mounted radially on said hollow body to maintain said modular elements substantially parallel to said hollow body and around said hollow body; according to the invention said retaining means comprise two retaining structures spaced longitudinally spaced from each other on said hollow body, said retaining structures respectively having a plurality of receiving zones, each being adapted to receive an end d modular element; and said holding structures are held in a fixed position relative to each other in a position where said receiving areas are respectively facing each other so as to trap at least one modular element when said opposite ends of said at least one element modular are respectively engaged in two receiving areas opposite.
Ainsi, une caractéristique de l'invention réside dans le mode de coopération des deux structures de retenue, lesquelles viennent emprisonner les éléments modulaires lorsqu'elles sont portées dans une position rapprochée l'une de l'autre. De la sorte, lorsque la conduite tubulaire qui remonte du fond est suspendue à la bouée sous-marine, cette dernière est orientée de telle sorte que le corps creux s'étend sensiblement verticalement tout comme les éléments modulaires. Les éléments modulaires qui présentent une densité inférieure à celle de l'eau de mer, exerce un effort ascensionnel sur l'une des deux structures de retenue qui elle-même est solidaire du corps creux. Aussi, ces éléments modulaires viennent en butée contre cette structure de retenue, et ils sont maintenus dans cette position notamment grâce à l'autre structure de retenue.Thus, a feature of the invention lies in the mode of cooperation of the two retaining structures, which encircle the modular elements when they are brought into a position close to each other. In this way, when the tubular pipe which rises from the bottom is suspended from the underwater buoy, the latter is oriented so that the hollow body extends substantially vertically as the modular elements. Modular elements that have a density lower than that of seawater, exerts an upward force on one of the two retaining structures which itself is integral with the hollow body. Also, these modular elements abut against this retaining structure, and they are maintained in this position in particular thanks to the other retaining structure.
Avantageusement, chaque élément modulaire est de forme cylindrique à directrice circulaire, de manière à pouvoir être fabriqué industriellement et à un coût avantageux. Compte tenu de la symétrie des éléments modulaires, leur paroi résiste bien mieux à la pression hydrostatique malgré une épaisseur relativement faible en comparaison d'un élément modulaire de forme parallélépipédique, par exemple. Au surplus, grâce à cette symétrie cylindrique, les éléments modulaires sont plus aisément manipulables dans l'eau lorsqu'il s'agit de remplacer ou de monter des éléments modulaires supplémentaires dans l'armature.Advantageously, each modular element is cylindrical in shape with a circular director, so that it can be manufactured industrially and at an advantageous cost. Given the symmetry of the modular elements, their wall resists much better to the hydrostatic pressure despite a relatively small thickness in comparison with a parallelepiped-shaped modular element, for example. Moreover, thanks to this cylindrical symmetry, the modular elements are more easily manipulated in the water when it comes to replace or mount additional modular elements in the frame.
De plus, lesdits moyens de retenue comportent préférentiellement des entretoises montées sur ledit corps creux pour maintenir lesdits éléments modulaires à distance dudit corps creux, les éléments modulaires venant s'appuyer contre ces entretoises. Elles permettent au surplus, de rigidifier les liaisons entre les éléments modulaires et le corps creux. Par ailleurs, ces entretoises présentent respectivement un évidement hémicirculaire pour recevoir ledit élément modulaire et bloquer ainsi les mouvements latéraux de l'élément tubulaire dans des directions sensiblement parallèles à un plan tangent du corps creux.In addition, said retaining means preferably comprise spacers mounted on said hollow body to maintain said modular elements away from said hollow body, the modular elements coming to bear against these spacers. They allow moreover, to stiffen the connections between the modular elements and the hollow body. Furthermore, these spacers respectively have a semicircular recess for receiving said modular element and blocking and the lateral movements of the tubular element in directions substantially parallel to a tangent plane of the hollow body.
Selon un mode préféré et de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, lesdites structures de retenue présentent une portion centrale solidaire dudit corps creux et des portions radiales dans lesquelles sont ménagées lesdites zones de réception. Ainsi par exemple, lesdites structures de retenue présentent huit portions radiales en étoile et diamétralement opposées deux à deux, dans lesquelles sont respectivement ménagées huit zones de réception.According to a preferred embodiment and implementation of the invention, said retaining structures have a central portion secured to said hollow body and radial portions in which are formed said receiving areas. Thus, for example, said retaining structures have eight star-shaped and diametrically opposite two-by-two radial portions, in which eight receiving zones are respectively provided.
Par ailleurs, lesdites structures de retenue définissent un plan moyen qui s'étend sensiblement perpendiculairement audit corps creux et au moins une desdites structures de retenue, celle qui est située vers la surface lorsque la bouée sous-marine est en position, est équipée de moyens de blocage complémentaires dans lesdites zones de réception pour bloquer ledit élément modulaire dans toute les directions sensiblement parallèles audit plan moyen. Ainsi, lorsque la bouée sous-marine est en position normale de travail, le corps creux est orienté verticalement et les éléments modulaires, compte tenu de leur densité inférieure à celle de l'eau, tendent à remonter vers la surface et à exercer des efforts ascensionnels précisément sur ladite au moins une desdites structures de retenue. Aussi, grâce au moyen de blocage complémentaire, dans les zones de réception de cette structure de retenue, qui reprend les efforts ascensionnels importants, les extrémités des éléments modulaires sont totalement solidaires de la structure de retenue. Et partant, les éléments modulaires sont totalement solidaires de l'armature.Moreover, said retaining structures define an average plane which extends substantially perpendicularly to said hollow body and at least one of said retaining structures, that which is located towards the surface when the underwater buoy is in position, is equipped with means complementary blocking means in said receiving areas for blocking said modular element in all directions substantially parallel to said mean plane. Thus, when the underwater buoy is in the normal working position, the hollow body is oriented vertically and the modular elements, given their lower density than water, tend to rise towards the surface and exert efforts ascensional specifically on said at least one of said retaining structures. Also, thanks to the complementary locking means, in the receiving zones of this retaining structure, which takes up the significant upward forces, the ends of the modular elements are completely integral with the retaining structure. And thus, the modular elements are totally attached to the frame.
Avantageusement, ladite au moins une desdites structure de retenue, située vers la surface, présente des moyens de renfort pour augmenter la rigidité de ladite au moins une desdites structure de retenue, de manière à mieux résister aux efforts ascensionnels produits par les éléments modulaires.Advantageously, said at least one of said retaining structure, located towards the surface, has reinforcing means for increasing the rigidity of said at least one of said retaining structure, so as to better withstand the upward forces produced by the modular elements.
À l'extrémité opposée, ledit corps creux présente, au voisinage de l'autre desdites structures de retenue, des moyens d'accrochage à ladite conduite tubulaire afin de reprendre les efforts exercés par la conduite tubulaire qui remonte du fond marin et qui tend à entraîner la bouée sous-marine vers ce fond. Ainsi, ces efforts sont directement exercés sur le corps creux et ils sont repris et compensés grâce aux éléments modulaires par l'intermédiaire de la structure de retenue. Bien évidemment, ladite autre desdites structures de retenue, dirigée vers le fond marin, comporte des moyens de verrouillage desdits éléments modulaires afin qu'ils soient totalement solidaires du corps creux.At the opposite end, said hollow body has, in the vicinity of the other of said retaining structures, hooking means to said tubular pipe to take up the forces exerted by the tubular pipe which rises from the seabed and tends to bring the underwater buoy to this bottom. Thus, these forces are directly exerted on the hollow body and they are taken over and compensated by the modular elements through the retaining structure. Of course, said other of said retaining structures, directed towards the seabed, comprises means for locking said modular elements so that they are completely integral with the hollow body.
D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention ressortiront à la lecture de la description faite ci-après de modes de réalisation particuliers de l'invention, donnés à titre indicatif mais non limitatif, en référence aux dessins annexés sur lesquels :
- la
Figure 1 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une armature de bouée sous-marine conforme à l'invention ; - la
Figure 2 est une vue schématique en perspective, d'une bouée sous-marine conforme à l'invention ; - la
Figure 3A est une vue schématique en coupe axiale selon le plan III-III de la bouée sous-marine illustrée sur laFigure 2 ; - la
Figure 3B est une vue schématique en coupe axiale selon un plan vertical d'une bouée sous-marine conforme à l'invention selon une variante de réalisation ; - la
Figure 4 est une vue schématique de dessus selon la flèche IV de la bouée sous-marine représentée à laFigure 3A ; et, - les
Figures 5A à 5C illustrent schématiquement en coupe droite, le montage d'une bouée sous-marine telle que représentée sur laFigure 2 .
- the
Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an underwater buoy reinforcement according to the invention; - the
Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an underwater buoy according to the invention; - the
Figure 3A is a schematic view in axial section along the plane III-III of the underwater buoy illustrated on theFigure 2 ; - the
Figure 3B is a schematic view in axial section along a vertical plane of an underwater buoy according to the invention according to an alternative embodiment; - the
Figure 4 is a schematic top view along arrow IV of the submarine buoy shown in FIG.Figure 3A ; and, - the
Figures 5A to 5C illustrate schematically in straight section, the mounting of an underwater buoy as shown on theFigure 2 .
La
Les premières branches 26 présentent chacune une extrémité libre 30 et un premier évidement en arc 32 près de l'extrémité libre 30. Ce premier évidement en arc 32 est orienté vers l'extrémité inférieure 22. On retrouve sur la
Sur la
Ainsi, les portions planes de première couronne extérieure 28 et leur première branche 26 correspondante définissent ensemble grâce à leurs évidements en arc 32, 36 une zone de réception 38 orientée vers l'extrémité inférieure 22, laquelle zone de réception 38 définie à son tour un anneau sphérique dont on expliquera la fonction ci-après.Thus, the planar portions of the first
Avant cela, on décrira en référence à la
En outre, les entretoises 18 en étoile illustrées en détail sur la
Ainsi que l'illustre la
Les deux extrémités libres présentent une forme arrondie définissant une surface sensiblement sphérique apte à coïncider avec la zone de réception 38. Ainsi, l'extrémité libre supérieure 52 de chacun des éléments modulaires 50, est engagée dans la zone de réception 38, tandis que l'extrémité libre inférieure 54 est en appui contre la seconde branche 42 correspondante, alors que le corps 56 de chacun des éléments tubulaires 50 est en appui contre les entretoises 18 en traversant leurs évidements hémicirculaires 48 respectifs. On notera que, lors du montage de la bouée sous-marine, l'extrémité libre supérieure 52 des éléments modulaires 50 est d'abord engagée dans la zone de réception 38, les éléments modulaires 50 étant inclinés par rapport au corps creux 12 et ensuite, le corps tubulaire 50 est rabattu vers le corps creux 12 en appui dans les entretoises 18, l'extrémité libre inférieure 54 en butée contre les secondes branches 42. Les éléments modulaires 50 sont maintenus dans cette position soient par des pièces de verrouillage 58 rapportées à l'extrémité libre des secondes branches 42 que l'on observera plus en détail sur la
En outre, et selon encore un autre mode de mise en oeuvre, les éléments modulaires 50 sont maintenus en appui dans les entretoises 18, indépendamment les uns des autres, grâce à des brides d'entretoise indépendantes, qui viennent brider les éléments modulaires 50 dans leurs évidements hémicirculaires 48 correspondant. Les brides d'entretoises sont montées sur chacune des extrémités en saillie des entretoises 18 et elles sont adaptées à être raccordées à une autre extrémité en saillie contiguë en entourant un élément modulaire 50.In addition, and according to yet another embodiment, the
Par ailleurs, dans un mode particulier de réalisation de l'invention illustré sur la
On se reportera à la
Ainsi, la bouée sous-marine représentée est-elle relativement aisée à monter, soit avant d'être embarqué sur un bateau de pose, soit sur le bateau ou encore directement dans l'eau. Par ailleurs, elle présente ici huit éléments modulaires 50, mais elle pourrait n'en comporter qu'un sur deux, soit quatre éléments modulaires 50. Ainsi, sa flottabilité serait moindre.Thus, the submarine buoy represented is relatively easy to assemble, either before being embarked on a boat laying, or on the boat or directly in the water. Moreover, it presents here eight
Le montage de la bouée sous-marine est illustré sur les
Ensuite, les structures de retenue supérieure 14 et inférieure 16 sont montées aux extrémités du corps creux 12.Then, the upper and
Telle que représentée sur la
Ainsi, les efforts de traction à exercer sur la conduite tubulaire 60 peuvent être adaptés en ajustant le nombre d'éléments modulaires 50 à l'armature 10.Thus, the tensile forces to exert on the tubular pipe 60 can be adapted by adjusting the number of
Selon un autre mode de réalisation non représentée, la conduite tubulaire 60 est reliée à la bouée sous-marine par l'intermédiaire d'un bâti lui-même suspendu à la structure de retenue inférieure 16, et la conduite tubulaire 60 est raccordée à une conduite tubulaire flexible qui ne traverse plus la bouée sous-marine mais qui la contourne pour rejoindre une installation de surface.According to another embodiment not shown, the tubular pipe 60 is connected to the underwater buoy via a frame itself suspended from the
Selon une variante de réalisation de l'invention représentée sur la
Selon un autre aspect, l'objet de l'invention concerne une méthode d'installation d'une colonne sous-marine montante pour le transport des hydrocarbures entre un fond marin et une surface, au moyen d'une bouée sous-marine à éléments modulaires et/ou à flotteurs cylindriques indépendants, telle que décrite ci-dessus. La méthode étant du type selon laquelle : on ancre une installation de fond sur ledit fond marin ; on fournit une conduite tubulaire présentant une extrémité de raccordement destinée à être raccordée à ladite installation de fond et une extrémité opposée équipée d'une bouée sous-marine à flotteurs immergeables ; puis, on autorise l'entrée d'eau à l'intérieur desdits flotteurs immergeables pour immerger ladite bouée sous-marine et ladite conduite tubulaire à l'aplomb de ladite installation de fond, tandis qu'on retient ladite bouée sous-marine et ladite conduite par une ligne de suspension depuis un bâtiment de surface, ladite ligne de suspension supportant des efforts de traction correspondant au poids de ladite bouée sous-marine et de ladite conduite ; on fournit ensuite un câble de traction et on installe des moyens de renvoi sur ladite installation de fond de manière à pouvoir relier ledit câble de traction à ladite extrémité de raccordement et à entraîner ledit câble à travers lesdits moyens de renvoi et simultanément ladite extrémité de raccordement vers ladite installation de fond ; selon l'invention, on accroche une bouée de tirage immergée audit câble de traction pour exercer des efforts de traction supplémentaires sur ladite ligne de suspension ; ensuite on substitue un fluide gazeux à l'eau desdits flotteurs immergeables pour compenser d'une part les efforts de traction correspondant au poids de ladite bouée sous-marine et de ladite conduite et d'autre part, au moins une partie des efforts de traction supplémentaire ; et, enfin, on amarre ladite bouée de tirage à ladite installation de fond et on libère progressivement ladite ligne de suspension de façon que ladite installation de fond reprennent lesdits efforts de traction supplémentaires exercés par la bouée de tirage, tandis que ladite bouée sous-marine exerce ladite autre partie des efforts supplémentaires de traction sur ladite conduite pour la maintenir verticalement.According to another aspect, the subject of the invention relates to a method of installing a rising submarine column for transporting hydrocarbons between a seabed and a surface, by means of an underwater buoy with elements. modular and / or independent cylindrical floats, as described above. The method being of the type according to which: anchoring a bottom installation on said seabed; providing a tubular conduit having a connecting end to be connected to said downstream installation and an opposite end equipped with a submersible float submarine buoy; then, the entry of water inside said submergible floats is authorized to immerse said underwater buoy and said tubular pipe in line with said bottom installation, while said underwater buoy and said buoy are retained. conducted by a suspension line from a surface vessel, said suspension line supporting tensile forces corresponding to the weight of said underwater buoy and said pipe; a traction cable is then provided and return means are installed on said downstream installation so as to be able to connect said traction cable to said connection end and to drive said cable through said return means and simultaneously said connection end towards said downstream installation; according to the invention, hooking a draft buoy immersed in said traction cable to exert additional traction forces on said suspension line; then a gaseous fluid is substituted with the water of said immersible floats to compensate, on the one hand, the traction forces corresponding to the weight of said underwater buoy and of said pipe and, on the other hand, at least a part of the traction forces additional; and, finally, said pulling buoy is tethered to said bottom installation and said suspension line is progressively released so that said bottom installation takes up said additional traction forces exerted by the pull buoy, while said underwater buoy said other part exerts additional traction forces on said pipe to maintain it vertically.
Ainsi, selon cet autre aspect la mise en oeuvre de la bouée de tirage immergée en subsurface, c'est-à-dire entre le fond et la surface, et plus précisément près du fond, pour l'accrocher au câble de traction puis la relâcher, permet d'exercer des efforts de traction supplémentaires sur ladite ligne de suspension. En effet, une fois relâchée, la bouée de tirage qui contient alors un fluide gazeux plus léger que l'eau, exerce une traction sur le câble de traction qui se répercute à l'inverse, grâce aux moyens de renvoi sur l'extrémité de raccordement de la conduite, et partant, sur la ligne de suspension qui rejoint le bâtiment de surface. Ainsi un effort de traction supplémentaire est exercé sur la ligne suspension en surplus du poids propre de la conduite et de la bouée sous-marine.Thus, according to this other aspect the implementation of the submerged draft buoy, that is to say between the bottom and the surface, and more precisely near the bottom, to attach to the towing cable and then the release, allows to exert additional traction forces on said suspension line. Indeed, once released, the pulling buoy, which then contains a gaseous fluid lighter than water, pulls on the pulling cable which has the opposite effect, thanks to the return means on the end of connection of the pipe, and thus on the line of suspension that joins the surface building. Thus an additional traction force is exerted on the suspension line in excess of the own weight of the pipe and the underwater buoy.
Ensuite, en amarrant ladite bouée de tirage à ladite installation de fond puis en libérant ou en déroulant progressivement ladite ligne de suspension depuis le bâtiment de surface, ladite bouée sous-marine et ladite conduite tubulaire descendent progressivement vers l'installation de fond, car le câble de traction est entraîné à travers les moyens de renvoi par l'intermédiaire de la bouée de tirage qui elle est entraînée vers la surface. Cette dernière est cependant retenue, par l'amarre qui la relie à l'installation de fond. Dès cet instant, les efforts exercés sur la ligne de suspension, entre la bouée sous-marine et le bâtiment de surface, s'annulent. L'intérêt d'un tel agencement, réside précisément en ce que, dès l'instant où les efforts exercés sur la ligne de suspension tendent vers zéro, et que le bâtiment de surface, par exemple, est entraîné par la houle dans une direction verticale à l'opposé du fond marin, les efforts qui s'exercent alors sur l'ensemble de la chaîne, lignes de suspension, bouée sous-marine, conduite et câble de traction, se répercutent alors sur la bouée de tirage qui est alors entraînée vers le fond marin. Cela permet de préserver bien évidemment, tous les éléments de l'ensemble de la chaîne précitée, puisque le câble de tirage n'est pas ancré sur le fond marin comme cela est le cas selon l'art antérieur.Then, by mooring said draft buoy to said bottom installation and then releasing or progressively unwinding said line of suspension from the surface building, said underwater buoy and said tubular pipe gradually descend to the bottom installation, because the The pulling cable is driven through the return means via the pulling buoy which is driven to the surface. The latter, however, is retained by the mooring which connects it to the underground installation. From this moment, the forces exerted on the line of suspension, between the underwater buoy and the surface building, are canceled out. The advantage of such an arrangement lies precisely in that, as soon as the forces exerted on the suspension line tend to zero, and the surface building, for example, is driven by the swell in one direction vertical opposite the seabed, the efforts then exerted on the entire chain, suspension lines, buoy underwater, pipe and traction cable, then reverberate on the buoy which is then driven to the seabed. This makes it possible, of course, to preserve all the elements of the whole of the aforementioned chain, since the pull cable is not anchored to the seabed, as is the case according to the prior art.
Avantageusement, on substitue ledit fluide gazeux, plus léger que l'eau, à l'eau desdits flotteurs immergeables pour compenser les efforts de traction correspondant au poids de la bouée sous-marine et sensiblement à la moitié desdits efforts de traction supplémentaires exercés par l'intermédiaire de la bouée de tirage.Advantageously, said gaseous fluid, lighter than water, is substituted for the water of said immersible floats to compensate for the traction forces corresponding to the weight of the underwater buoy and substantially at half of said additional traction forces exerted by the intermediate of the draw buoy.
En outre, selon un mode particulier de mise en oeuvre de l'invention, pour raccorder l'extrémité de raccordement à ladite installation de fond, on libère ladite bouée de tirage de ladite installation de fond pour que ladite bouée de tirage remonte vers ladite surface de manière à entraîner à l'inverse, ladite extrémité de raccordement vers ladite installation de fond. Pour ce faire, on prévoit des moyens de réception amortisseurs, de l'extrémité de raccordement lorsqu'elle approche en descendant, de l'installation de fond.In addition, according to a particular embodiment of the invention, for connecting the connection end to said bottom installation, said pulling buoy is released from said bottom installation so that said pull buoy back to said surface. so as to drive the opposite end, said connection end to said downstream installation. To do this, damping receiving means are provided, from the connecting end when approaching downwards, from the bottom installation.
Claims (9)
- Underwater buoy with modular members (50) intended to suspend a tubular duct (60) between a seabed and a surface, said buoy comprising a frame (10) and a plurality of modular members (50) forming floats adapted to be mounted in said frame, said modular members extending longitudinally between two opposite modular member ends (52, 54), said frame having a longitudinal hollow body (12) intended to receive said extended tubular duct and retaining means (14, 16, 18) mounted radially on said hollow body to hold said modular member (50) substantially parallel to said hollow body and around said hollow body;
characterized in that said retaining means comprise two facing retaining structures (14, 16) spaced longitudinally from each other on said hollow body (12), said retaining structures having respective pluralities of receiving areas (38, 46) each adapted to receive a modular member end (52), each modular member (50) being of cylindrical shape with a circular directrix to resist hydrostatic pressure;
and in that said retaining structures (14, 16) are held in a fixed position relative to each other in a position in which said receiving areas (38, 46) face each other so as to trap at least one modular member (50) when said opposite ends (52, 54) of said at least one modular member are engaged in respective facing receiving areas (38, 46). - Underwater buoy according to claim 1, characterized in that said retaining means further include spacers (18) mounted on said hollow body (12) to hold said modular members (50) away from said hollow body.
- Underwater buoy according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said spacers (18) have respective semicircular recesses (48) to receive said modular member (50) .
- Underwater buoy according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said retaining structures have a central portion (24, 40) fastened to said hollow body (12) and radial portions (26, 42) in which said receiving areas (38, 46) are provided.
- Underwater buoy according to claim 4, characterized in that said retaining structures have eight radial portions (26, 42) diametrally opposed in pairs in which eight respective receiving areas (38, 46) are provided.
- Underwater buoy according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said retaining structures define a mean plane P that is substantially perpendicular to said hollow body (12) and at least one of said retaining structures (14) is equipped with complementary immobilizing means in said receiving areas (38) to immobilize said modular member (50) in all directions substantially parallel to said mean plane.
- Underwater buoy according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one of said retaining structures (14) has reinforcing means (28) for increasing the stiffness of said at least one of said retaining structures.
- Underwater buoy according to claim 7, characterized in that said hollow body (12) has in the vicinity of the other of said retaining structures (16) means (62) for attachment to said tubular duct (60).
- Underwater buoy according to claim 8, characterized in that said other of said retaining structures (16) includes means (58) for locking said modular members (50).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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FR0703086A FR2915456B1 (en) | 2007-04-27 | 2007-04-27 | UNDERWATER BUOY WITH MODULAR ELEMENTS. |
PCT/FR2008/000590 WO2008145862A2 (en) | 2007-04-27 | 2008-04-24 | Underwater buoy with modular members |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP2164752A2 EP2164752A2 (en) | 2010-03-24 |
EP2164752B1 true EP2164752B1 (en) | 2011-10-12 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP08805507A Active EP2164752B1 (en) | 2007-04-27 | 2008-04-24 | Underwater buoy with modular members |
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US (1) | US8425156B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2164752B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE528204T1 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0810129B1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK2164752T3 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2915456B1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008145862A2 (en) |
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WO2012151644A1 (en) * | 2011-05-12 | 2012-11-15 | Petróleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras | Multiple-column buoy for offshore terminals in deep and very deep waters |
US9879396B2 (en) | 2013-06-24 | 2018-01-30 | Trendsetter Vulcan Offshore, Inc. | Systems and methods for tethering subsea structure mounted on a wellhead |
CN104058068B (en) * | 2014-07-04 | 2016-08-17 | 西安电子科技大学 | Subsurface buoy device for adjusting posture |
FR3086353A1 (en) * | 2018-09-24 | 2020-03-27 | Dietswell | FLOAT FOR A FLOATING PLATFORM, ESPECIALLY FOR A FLOATING WIND TURBINE. |
Family Cites Families (7)
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AU1815601A (en) * | 1999-12-07 | 2001-06-18 | Fmc Corporation | Collapsible buoyancy device for risers on offshore structures |
US6439810B1 (en) * | 2000-05-19 | 2002-08-27 | Edo Corporation, Fiber Science Division | Buoyancy module with pressure gradient walls |
AU2001271364A1 (en) * | 2000-08-21 | 2002-03-04 | Cso Aker Maritime, Inc. | Engineered material buoyancy system, device, and method |
NL1016610C2 (en) * | 2000-11-15 | 2002-05-16 | Lankhorst Recycling Bv | Protection element for a riser segment. |
US6896062B2 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2005-05-24 | Technip Offshore, Inc. | Riser buoyancy system |
US6783302B2 (en) * | 2002-12-02 | 2004-08-31 | Robert W. Copple | Buoyant leg structure with added tubular members for supporting a deep water platform |
US6884003B2 (en) * | 2003-06-16 | 2005-04-26 | Deepwater Technologies, Inc. | Multi-cellular floating platform with central riser buoy |
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2007
- 2007-04-27 FR FR0703086A patent/FR2915456B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2008
- 2008-04-24 WO PCT/FR2008/000590 patent/WO2008145862A2/en active Application Filing
- 2008-04-24 EP EP08805507A patent/EP2164752B1/en active Active
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ATE528204T1 (en) | 2011-10-15 |
WO2008145862A2 (en) | 2008-12-04 |
DK2164752T3 (en) | 2012-02-06 |
BRPI0810129A2 (en) | 2014-10-29 |
EP2164752A2 (en) | 2010-03-24 |
FR2915456A1 (en) | 2008-10-31 |
FR2915456B1 (en) | 2009-09-04 |
WO2008145862A3 (en) | 2009-06-25 |
US20100111614A1 (en) | 2010-05-06 |
US8425156B2 (en) | 2013-04-23 |
BRPI0810129B1 (en) | 2019-08-13 |
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